It said woodland around the house had also been taped off to prevent access and forensics officers had been at the scene.

Olga Park, a retired nurse who lives opposite the bungalow, said Mikaeel’s mother had lived there with her sister when she had the boy, who is a twin.

The resident, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said she saw Ms Kular arrive at the home on either Tuesday or Wednesday morning.

She said: ‘I’m just absolutely shocked about what’s happened.

‘The fact he’s just a three-year-old boy is just terrible. The poor wee thing.’

Police stand outside a bungalow in Kirkcaldy where a boy’s body was found (Picture: Getty)

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said police ‘strongly believe’ the body to be that of Mikaeel and that his family had been informed of the discovery.

He told a press conference: ‘The investigation into the disappearance of Mikaeel Kular has been wide ranging and fast moving.

‘As a result of these inquiries I can confirm that we have recovered the body of a young boy in Fife shortly before midnight. We have informed the family and the investigation continues.

‘A person has been detained in connection with the death.

‘I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has shown such a fantastic response to the incident in terms of assisting the police with searches and in terms of our appeals for information and coming forward to assist with information.’

Members of the public and professional services take part in the search (Picture: Reuetrs)

It has emerged that Mikaeel had not been seen by teachers at his nursery since before Christmas, with other children returning on January 7.

Mikaeel was last seen on Wednesday night when his mother put him to bed at their home in Ferry Gait Crescent at 9pm.

She reported him missing after going to check on him at 7.15am the following day and finding he wasn’t there.

Hundreds of volunteers from the local community joined emergency services in the search for the missing boy.

Police have not disclosed exactly where the body was found.

Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond said: ‘This is a tragic development in this harrowing story and the news that we have all been dreading. The hearts of everyone across Scotland and beyond have been touched by the events of recent days.

‘We should at this difficult time remember the work of the officers of Police Scotland who have responded to this difficult task and investigation and shown such professionalism and dedication.’